Feed device

ABSTRACT

A device for feeding materials to be shaped to a shaping tool comprises a rotatable platform supported from its under side. In one embodiment, the device is provided with guide and biasing means which cooperates to provide reciprocal motion to the platform. A piece of shaped material which shape is to be reproduced on a material workpiece is attached to the platform. A guide member is maintained in abutment with the surface of the shaped material while a shaping tool maintained at a fixed distance from the guide member reproduces the shaped surface on the material workpiece.

United States Patent 1 Schell FEED DEVICE [76] Inventor: Friedrich P.Schell, 4313 San Bernardino Avenue, Las Vegas, Nev. 89102 22 Filed: Mar.30, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 129,507

[52] US. Cl. 144/323, 144/154, 83/413,

144/145 [51] Int. Cl. B27c 1/00 [58] Field of Search 144/144, 145, 154,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,337,695 4/1920 Emery144/145 A 1,600,261 9/1926 Whitney 144/145 R 2,426,487 8/1947 Clausing144/145 A 2,141,631 12/1938 Whitney et a1. 144/145 A 3,442,309 5/1969Jentsch 83/413 X June 19, 1973 Lansing 144/145 R Watson, Jr 144/154 XPrimary Examiner-Andrew R. J'uhasz Assistant Examiner-W. D. BrayAtt0mey.1erry R. Seiler [57] ABSTRACT A device for feeding materials tobe shaped to a shaping tool comprises a rotatable platform supportedfrom its under side. In one embodiment, the device is provided withguide and biasing means which cooperates to provide reciprocal motion tothe platform. A piece of shaped material which shape is to be reproducedon a material workpiece is attached to the platform. A guide member ismaintained in abutment with the surface of the shaped material while ashaping tool maintained at a fixed distance from the guide memberreproduces the shaped surface on the material workpiece.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENIED I 9373 3. 739.826

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. FRIEDRICH P. SCHELL ATTORNEY PAIEmm 3339.826

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FRI EDRICH P. SCHELL ATTORNEY PAIENTEB JUN I 173 SHEEP-3N3 FIG. 4

INVENTOR.

FRIEDRICH P. SCHELL A W m ATTORNEY 1 FEED DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION A number of devices exist for shaping wood and othermaterials. Although certain of such devices are relatively simple indesign, those which are presently available for reproducing variousshapes on materials from a template or other predetermined shape arerather complex and expensive. These latter devices are known in the artas profilers or shapers which incorporate a rotating table to whichtable a template or other shaped piece of material is attached. Theshaping tool extends downwardly from an overarm and follows the edgeprofile of the template and as the table rotates, the shaping toolreproduces the template profile on a material workpiece. Even moresophisticated shaping device incorporate electronic, computer or tapecommand means in lieu of a template.

There are a number of problems and disadvantages associated with suchdevices. A major and important problem is that an operator is requiredto be near the cutting or shaping tool which close proximity increasesthe danger of accidental injury to the operator. Injury may result fromdirect contact of a finger or hand with the cutting tool or the operatormay be injured by a piece of cut material propelled by the shaping tool.

Another major disadvantage is in the limitation of the size of theworkpiece which may be handled by the particular device. Such alimitation is generally inherent in the apparatus itself because of thevarious support means present for either the table or the shaping tool.For example, even very expensive shaping or profiling apparatusincorporate a massive side column and an overarm from which the shapingtool or tools extend. Since the overarm and column are fixedly attachedto a floor stand or lower frame member to which the table is alsoattached, there is a limited distance between the table and the columnwhich distance dictates the size of the material workpiece which can beshaped. A further disadvantage is that in order to change the template,or remove the finished workpiece, the device must be stopped therebysignificantly slowing the operation.

In addition, such equipment which may be overengineered andunnecessarily complex for many operations is also undesirable from acost standpoint and requires rather expensive maintenance costs. Wherecomputer or tape reader control systems are utilized, cost andmaintenance disadvantages are magnified. Further, once such equipment isplaced, because of the weight of the apparatus, sometimes in excess of20,000 pounds, relocation of the apparatus is obviously difficult.

An additional disadvantage in prior art devices of the type of abovedescribed is in the limitation of the type of shaping, cutting orworking tools or head assemblies which can be attached. Although such adevice may utilize router bits or similar cutting means interchangeably,they are generally unsuitable for sanding, planing, painting orpolishing. In other words, once the material workpiece is initiallyshaped, it must be finished by removing it from the apparatus andworking it with independent units which the initial shaping or profilingapparatus is incapable of incorporating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device of the present invention obviatesthe dis advantages and limitations such as described hereinabove. Thebasic apparatus of the invention is a device for feeding a workpiece orplurality of workpieces to a shaping tool which tool is separated at afixed distance from a guide member. The feeding device comprises arotary platform to which is attached a shaped article which shape is tobe copied on the material workpiece by the shaping tool. The workpieceis fed to the shaping tool by the platform.

In a first embodiment of the feed device, the platform is fixed to anaxle or drive shaft extending downwardly from the underside of theplatform and which axle, and in turn the platform, is driven by suitabledrive means so that the platform rotates. The platform is also attachedto a lower frame in such a manner that the platform also moves in areciprocating motion as it rotates. Biasing means such as a spring orthe like extends from the frame to constantly urge the platform in thedirection of the guide member whereby the guide member is maintained inabutment with the shaped material surface which is attached to theplatform.

In a second embodiment the feeding device of the invention utilizes arotary platform to which a shaped article and material workpiece inwhich the shaped article is to be duplicated thereon are attached to theplatform, which device includes one or more shaping tools attached to areciprocating support. Such a device also includes a guide memberlocated at a fixed position from each shaping tool each guide memberbeing maintained in abutment with the surface of the shaped pieceattached to the rotating platform by biasing means cooperating with thesupport means of the shaping tool. As the shaping tool is urged to therotating platform, the guide member cooperating with the tool maintainsabutment with the surface of the'shaped piece and the shaping toolreproduces the shapes on the material workpiece fed to the tool by therotating platform'to which the workpiece is attached.

A further embodiment of the invention utilizes the rotating motion ofthe shaping tool to provide the drive means for rotating the platform aswell as eliminating the requirement for separate biasing means foreither the feed device or the shaping tool. Again, the shaping tool isprovided with a guide member which is constantly urged to abut apre-shaped surface or piece attached to the platform which urging isprovided by the motion of the shaping tool itself. In this embodimentthe shaping tool or the platform must be provided with support meanswhich allow free reciprocating movement thereof. Specific details of theapparatus, its operation and advantages will be more fully explainedhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of theunderside of one embodiment of the feeding device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial view in perspective illustrating another embodimentof the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating a further embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 there isshowna feeding device 10 having a platform 12 to which is attached aplurality of material workpieces 14. The edge 16 of the platform 12 isshaped or contoured to provide a variety of different shapes which areto be reproduced on the workpieces 14. The platform 12 is fixedlyattached to platform support 15 which is disc-shaped and which rotatesabout a centrally located axle (not shown).

A plurality of guide sleeves 26 are attached to an upper support frame13 by bracket members 27 bolted or otherwise affixed to the uppersupport frame 13. A pair of guide rods 24 extends substantially parallelto one another and their respective ends are attached to corner posts 22which may be attached to upper support frame 13 by cross member orequivalent means.

A supporting frame in addition to the corner posts 22 may incorporatelower side and end supports not shown. It should be appreciated that theconstruction of a support frame is not critical and any similar orequivalent frame means may be used to support the guide rods 24.However, the frame should be of such a construction and mass so thatonce the device is placed in a desired location, it will not be easilydislocated. Although not shown, brackets or other suitable means may beprovided to attach the supporting frame to a floor.

The platform 12 is provided with reciprocal movement between forwardposts 22 and rear posts 22A by sleeves 26 which travel along guide rods24. The sleeves 26 are provided with internal bearing surfaces tominimize friction during travel of the sleeves along the guide rods 24.An expandable spring 30 is attached between frame cross member 20 andbracket 33. In this manner, the platform 12 is continually biased inlinear direction toward the forward end of the frame, i.e., to the pointof spring attachment by the spring 30 cooperating with the frame and thebracket 33.

A drive means for rotating the platform 12 is a motor 32 which drives anaxle (not shown) attached to the platform. The drive means may bereversible or single direction and may incorporate various drive gearsengaging gear teeth on the axle. The drive means may also be variable orsingle speed although a variable speed motor will be preferable. Otherdrive means such as frictional engagement, chain drive means and thelike, may also be used.

Although a single spring 30 is shown, a multiple spring may be used onthe device if desired. In addition, it should be appreciated that thebiasing means for such a device is not limited to spring action butpneumatic, hydraulic or other equivalent biasing means may besubstituted for the spring 30.

Referring also to FIG. 2 a shaping tool 42 attached to drive means andapparatus, not shown, is positioned adjacent to the platform 12 to whichare attached a series of workpieces 14. Clamps 17 are shown as the meansof attaching the workpieces 14 to the platform 12 but the particularmeans of such attachment is not particularly critical. A guide member 40having a bearing surface thereon is positioned at a fixed distance fromshaping tool 42. Thus, the bearing surface of the guide member 40 ismaintained in a constant or fixed position from the shaping tool 42.Since the platform 12 is biased toward a shaping tool 42 by forceexerted by the spring 30, the edge 16 of platform 12 is con stantlyurged to maintain abutment thereof with bearing surface of the guidemember 40. It will be appreciated that the shaping tool should beadjustable up wardly or downwardly so that any difference in theelevation of edge 16 and guide member 40 may be compensated for.Further, the position of the guide member 40 in relation to the shapingtool 42 may be varied, i.e., moved to different locations and secured.

As shown, the edge 16 of the platform 12'is continuous and is providedwith a variety of shapes. In other words, the edge 16 acts as thetemplate or shaped surface which is to be reproduced on the edges of theworkpieces 14 attached to the platform 12. During the shaping operation,the platform 12 will be constantly urged toward the shaping tool 42whereby abutment of the edge 16 and the guide member 40 is maintained.As the motor 32 or other drive means is energized, the platform 12rotates so as to feed the workpieces 14 to the shaping tool 42.Depending on the particular distance between a point on the edge 16 andthe center of the platform 12, i.e., the platform's axis of rotation,the platform 12 will be displaced reciprocally between the forward andrear ends of the guide shafts 24. Again, this movement will be linearalong those shafts 24 and is limited only by the lengths of the shafts24. Thus, as the continuous edge 16 passes the shaping tool 42, aportion of the workpieces 14 extending beyond the edge 16 will beremoved and the resulting shape of the edge of the workpieces shaped byshaping tool 42 will be precisely to the shape of the platform edge 16over which any individual workpiece 14 extends.

This feature is further evident in FIG. 2 wherein workpiece 14A has beencut by the shaping tool 42 and has been out according to the shape ofthe platform edge 16 over which the workpiece 11 originally extended.workpiece 14B is shown partially cut away with the uncut portion stillextending over the platform edge 16 indicated by the dotted lines.

Although the major portion of the platform edge 16 is shown as variouscurved or contoured surfaces, the device of the invention offers anextremely valuable tool for achieving substantially straight or linearworkpiece cuts. This feature is shown additionally in FIG. 2 along aportion of the platform edge which has been provided with a preciselystraight linear surface. Ac cordingly, any workpiece on which a straightedge or side is desired may be attached to the platform directlyadjacent the straight surface which will then be reproduced as theworkpiece travels past the shaping tool 42. Again, workpiece 14A hasbeen cut along the straight edge portion. It will also be evident that alarge work piece having dimensions limited only by the size of theplatform 12 may be attached thereto and shaped.

Although FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the shapes to be reproduced onworkpieces being that of the shape of the edge 16 of the platform 12,the device is not so limited. Accordingly, different shapes or templatesmay be attached to the under side or upper side from the plat form 12and the height of either the platform or the shaping tool 42 may beadjusted so that the guide member 40 abuts the attached templet orshaped article. In other words, the device is not limited to theparticular shape of the edge of the platform 12 which itself may be ofany shape so long as a workpiece may be attached thereto. Accordingly,the shape to be reproduced on a workpiece is not limited to simplyplatform edge surface shape as shown but may be any shape which can beformed limited only by the type of shaping tool. Further, a plurality ofshaping tools may be used in conjunction with the feeding device 10 atvarious positions around the platform 12 which tools may have differentfunctions including rough shaping, finishing, sanding,

polishing, assemblying and the like as will be more fully explainedhereinafter.

It will be appreciated that the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 provides acontinuous feeding of workpieces to be shaped to a shaping tool withoutinterruption. The speed at which the material workpieces can be fed maybe varied between very slow and very rapid where a variable speed drivemeans is provided. In that case, the limitations of the rate at whichthe pieces may be shaped will depend only on the limits of a shapingtool to cut the materials. Wood, plastics, metals, ceramics, and indeedany material capable of being shaped by a shaping tool may be fed by theapparatus for shaping. Further, the size and initial shape of aworkpiece is practically unlimited.

It will also be evident that the safety afforded by the device of theinvention is an important advantage and feature. Thus, an operator maystand away from the shaping tool 42 and simply place workpieces alongthe platform to be shaped and thereafter remove the shaped materials allwhile the platform is in motion.-

The device because of its design is extremely useful in operations wherespeed, precise accuracy, safety as well as unskilled orhandicapped-labor is desired. Additional safety may be achievedbyenclosing the shaping bit. In addition, because of its structure whichis unencumbered from either the sides or top of the platform 12 thepotential size of workpieces to be shaped is greatly expanded from knowndevices in the art.

Different shapes may be rapidly provided by attaching those to be usedand removing templates having shapes which are no longer desired forreproduction. Further, the size of the device may be varied from thatsuitable for a small work shop to that which may take very largeworkpieces by either scaling up or down to any desirable extent theapparatus described herein. The device may also be constructed ratherinexpensively and accordingly will be available for operationsheretofore requiring high costs and heavy rotary profilers, automaticcopying shapers and similar devices. Thus, the only limitation is that asingle shaped article desired to be copied be available which will serveasthe first template on the feeding device. Once this shape has beencopied from a material workpiece, the material workpiece may itselfserve as a subsequent template for a further workpiece, and so on untila sufficient number of templates have been prepared for further use onthe device. Alternatively where a shaping tool of sufficient height orsize is available a single template may serve as the means forsimultaneously reproducing that shape in a plurality of stackedworkpieces. Obviously, such a feature will greatly increase productionrate of shaping or profiling a large number of workpieces. r I

It should also be understood that the plane of the rotating platform mayalso be variable. Thus, the device a may be provided with means foradjusting the plane from horizontal to vertical or any planetherebetween which may be useful for certain operations. Although thedevice shown in FIG. 1 incorporates guide rods 24, other guide meansmaybe used such as tracks, channels and the like attached to the frameand cooperating with the biasing means for the described reciprocalmovement.

Afurther embodiment within the purview of the concept is that a deviceof the type described may have one or more shaping or working toolsattached to the platform or otherwise juxtapositioned with the workpieceso long as a guide member cooperating with the shapduring the shapingoperation.

ing tool is maintained in abutment with the template FIG. 3 illustratesan alternative embodiment of the device of theinvention in which thereciprocal action of the device previously explained instead of beingprovided on the rotable feed device is utilized in conjunction with theshaping tool. As shown in FIG. 3 the flattened ring-shaped platform 50provides an inner edge 53 and outer edge 52 which serve as a templatefor shaping material workpieces shown by way of example as 55 and 57.Thus, by using a ring-shaped platform,

materials may be shaped both on an inner edge and outer edgesimultaneously In addition, larger workpieces such as workpiece 59having both sides shaped may be provided. The guide means associatedwith the platform illustrated inFIG. 1 have been eliminated in thisembodiment. The platform 50 may be rotated around a central axisprovided by driveshaft attached to a support arm which rotates theplatform.

Although a complete ring-shaped platform 50 may be used as described, asegment of such a platform may be used instead. The ring segment may beattached to drive means by an arm member or may be driven by a reversingdrive means in which case the segment platform will travel back andforth along an are or circular portion to accomplish the shapingoperation previously described.

Shaping tools 54 and 58 cooperate with platform 50.

cal movement of overarms 44 and 48 to which shaping tools 54 and 58 areattached respectively. Biasing means (not shown) acting against "therespective overarms or their supporting members urge the shaping tools54 and'58 toward the platform'50. concomitantly the respective guidemembers 45 and47 abut the exterior and interior shaped platform edges.Therespective shaping tools 54 and 58 may alternatively be provided withmeans for reciprocating movement tool including biasing means and shaftscooperating with hearing sleeves of the type shown inFIG. 1. Thus,instead of the platform 50 having reciprocal movement in addition to itsrotable motion, the device of FIG. 3 utilizes a rotating feeder incooperation with reciprocating shaping devices. i v i The shapingdevices 54 and 58 may have the same type of shaping heads or bits orthey may differ for different operations as previously explained. Othertools having different functions such as finishing or sanding may alsobe provided. It will also be appreciated that even a painting device maybe used :in conjunction with the invention feeder.

A further alternative embodiment of the device of the type shown in FIG.3 could include a drive motor and a circumferential gear track, orfriction surface attached to the underside of ring-shape d platform 50.In

53 of the platform .50.

that case, an operator could also stand in the center area of theplatform and attach and remove shaped materials and templates to becopied as well as material workpieces. With such a device, a shapingtool attached to an arm extending under the platform 50 could beutilized. Other advantages within the purview of such an embodiment willbe evident to those skilled in the art.

A further embodiment according to the invention is illustrated in FIG.4. As shown, the underside of a platform 60 of the type illustratedeither in FIGS. 1 and 3 as provided with a chain 62 secured thereto. Amaterial workpiece 67 is attached to the upper surface of the platform60 in a manner previously described. The platform 60 also has a shapededge 68 having a shape which is desirably reproduced on the materialworkpiece 67. Again, it will be appreciated that the shape to bereproduced need not be provided along the edge 68 of platform 60 butinstead may be a shaped article otherwise attached to the rotatingplatforms 60 as previously described.

The shaping device includes a shaping tool 61 for cutting the workpiece67 as illustrated, a sleeve member having an upper portion 65 which actsas a guide member and abuts the shaped edge 68 of platform 60. A driveshaft 63 is attached to a drive member (not shown). A sprocket 66 isattached to sleeve member 64. Thus, the drive means for the shaft 63 andshaping tool 61 also turns sprocket 66 which engages chain 62 attachedto the platform 60. In this manner independent drive means for rotatingthe platform is eliminated. Further, independent biasing means eitheracting in cooperation with the platform 60 as illustrated in FIG. 1 oron the shaping device as illustrated in FIG. 3 is unnecessary since therotating motion of the drive shaft 63, guide member 65 and shaping tool61 will maintain abutment between the guide member surface 69 and shapededge 68 of platform 60. Thus, the only requirement is that eitherplatform 60 or shaping device be provided with means for reciprocalmotion such as described in connection with FIG. 1 or FIG. 3.

Since for most shaping operations, the shaping tool 61 will necessarilybe rotating at a much faster speed that that desired for the platform60, it will be preferred to include suitable internal bearings betweenthe shaft 63 and sleeve 64.

It will be noted as shown in FIG. 4 and as explained previously inconnection with embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 that the guide memberis maintained in fixed relationship with shaping tool. However, itshould be appreciated that the guide member need not be rotatablyattached to a common shaft with shaping tool as illustrated in FIG. 5but may extend independently from some other portion of the shapingdevice. Thus, the guide member need not rotate at all but simply providea bearing surface against which a shaped member to be copied abuts.Further, in the device shown in FIG. 1 the guide member need not beadjacent to the shaping tool but actually may be positioned adjacent theplatform at the end opposite from the shaping tool along the axis of thereciprocating platform. Accordingly, so long as the guide member ismaintained in a fixed position from the shaping tool and in abutmentwith the shaped piece which shape is to be reporduced on a materialworkpiece, the method of shaping such a workpiece utilizing the conceptand devices disclosed hereinabove will be accomplished.

As previously noted a plurality of different shaping or working devicesmay be used in combination with the feeding device disclosed herein. Theterm shaping tool is intended to include any cutting or working tool andthe concept may include various assembly devices. Thus, those previouslynoted as well as saws, planers, painting devices, stamping devices andeven printers may be used with such a feeding device with any number ofmaterials attached thereto. Electronic or computer means for providingguidance of the device in lieu of a template may also be used but inview of the simplicity and accuracy of the device previously describedare not required. These as well as other embodiments and and advantageswithin the purview of the invention disclosed herein will be evident tothose skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. An independent feeder device for directing a material workpiece toshaping tool comprising:

a. an upper rotatable platform for attaching a material workpiece,

b. a lower non-rotatable reciprocating platform for supporting saidupper platform,

c. biasing means secured to said lower platform for constantly urging ittoward a guide member,

d. template means secured to said upper platform,

and

e. drive means for rotating said upper platform independent from saidtool.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the guide member is fixedly positionedapart from the shaping tool.

3. A method of feeding a material workpiece to a shaping tool comprisingutilizing the device of claim 1.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said template means comprises the upperplatform edge.

5. The device of claim 1 including an axle attached to said upperplatform about which said upper platform rotates and wherein said drivemeans drives said axle.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said drive means is secured to saidlower platform.

7. The device of claim 1 including guide rods for guiding said lowerreciprocating platform.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said drive means is reversible.

1. An independent feeder device for directing a material workpiece toshaping tool comprising: a. an upper rotatable platform for attaching amaterial workpiece, b. a lower non-rotatable reciprocating platform forsupporting said upper platform, c. biasing means secured to said lowerplatform for constantly urging it toward a guide member, d. templatemeans secured to said upper platform, and e. drive means for rotatingsaid upper platform independent from said tool.
 2. The device of claim 1wherein the guide member is fixedly positioned apart from the shapingtool.
 3. A method of feeding a material workpiece to a shaping toolcomprising utilizing the device of claim
 1. 4. The device of claim 1wherein said template means comprises the upper platform edge.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1 including an axle attached to said upper platformabout which said upper platform rotates and wherein said drive meansdrives said axle.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said drive means issecured to said lower platform.
 7. The device of claim 1 including guiderods for guiding said lower reciprocating platform.
 8. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said drive means is reversible.